The Government of Sri Lanka has condemned the firing of a ballistic missile of intercontinental range by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday, and the series of recent similar hostile acts by DPRK in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

DPRK’s continued pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and proliferation related activity pose a significant threat to international peace and security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. 

“In the interest of peace and security of all concerned, we urge the DPRK to refrain from such hostile acts and programmes, in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions, which impact adversely on the stability of the region and beyond.” 

The international community must unite in words and deeds to seek solutions to this grave situation which is an ever increasing threat to international peace and security, the statement said. 
 
North Korea tested a ballistic missile that it claims can reach all of the United States.

North Korea’s test Friday of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile was its second of the long-range weapon in a month. The first on July 4 showed the missile had the range to reach Alaska.

Friday’s test was designed to show the Hwasong-14’s maximum range with a “large-sized heavy nuclear warhead,” a statement from Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency said.

It said Washington should regard the launch as a “grave warning.”